Thread: Defender Conversion to V8

Originally Posted by p38arover

At least with Defender you can pull the front off and work unimpeded.

As you've got a fair bit of work there, what about converting it to an auto at the same time - buy the autobox with the 3.9 engine you're buying.

Ron

Did toy with that, but never driven an early auto to know what they're like (But I could sort that fairly quickly, I'm sure), plus the gearbox from the donor vehicle was sold to someone else before I got to it.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

fire wall mods, clutching mods, brake upgrade, tcase, axle replacements, move the radiator, wiring harness, exhaust, fuel system and inlet track ect ect ect..

Hmm...not sure how much of that applies, as the V8 was in the County. So, in theory, radiator & cooland pipework should be a matter of getting the County setup, tcase should mate OK, as V8 D1's and D2 used the same R380 I have (and worse ways I can sell mine and buy both from a D1 to get bell housing and higher gearing in one go), getting enough of the exhaust form the donor to hopefully mate it up somehow as a temporary thing, and getting the fuel pump so just need to wire and plumb it in, and injection stuff should all bolt straight on and just leave me with the snorkel on the wrong side from a 300TDi, but a 200TDi and the County had them the other side, so should just be a bit of hose to sort and a hole to cut.

Transmission tunnel is one grey area at the moment - need to compare mine to a County.

We shall see, I guess!

As you say, it'll be the little things that take the longest to sort, as they'll be unexpected.

Originally Posted by jik22

Did toy with that, but never driven an early auto to know what they're like (But I could sort that fairly quickly, I'm sure),.

The ZF 4-speed in the Disco and RR Classic is a great box (despite what Blknight will say )

Ron

Originally Posted by sclarke

Gudday Craig, now i can put a name to a face, i was in Freds the other week and met you, i was looking at your 90 and we were discussing the rear wheel carrier and the history of the rig.

ive been thinking hard in the past month about selling my TDI 300 and puting a 3.9 in my girl.
Other option is to get a stuffed county and use the chassis and driveline and then put my defender body on it...
Still want to keep the Ute look, but have a engine that gives instant power....

I am considering putting a 300TDI and auto in my Disco and was looking for someone to do a straight swap. My engine is a late model 4L (cross bolted mains), RV Cam, 3.5 fuel and electronic ignition (single coil) system, extractors. I am looking to swap V8 Auto (ZF 4sp.) from Radiator to H/brake drum for the same in a 300TDI (incl. Intercooler), anyone interested, Regards Frank.

Hi Jeff
There was a 300Tdi in last weeks quokka for $5000.
Sounds a bit steep,but may give you an idea what they are worth.
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Hi Jeff
There was a 300Tdi in last weeks quokka for $5000.
Sounds a bit steep,but may give you an idea what they are worth.
Andrew

I saw one for $3500 in the Quokka too, and if anyone paid close to that for mine, I'd be smiling all the way to the V8 engine tuners.

Originally Posted by Tank

I am considering putting a 300TDI and auto in my Disco and was looking for someone to do a straight swap. My engine is a late model 4L (cross bolted mains), RV Cam, 3.5 fuel and electronic ignition (single coil) system, extractors. I am looking to swap V8 Auto (ZF 4sp.) from Radiator to H/brake drum for the same in a 300TDI (incl. Intercooler), anyone interested, Regards Frank.

If you had a manual and wanted a manual, and we could sort freight, we'd have had a deal.

Originally Posted by jik22

Hmm...not sure how much of that applies, as the V8 was in the County. So, in theory, radiator & cooland pipework should be a matter of getting the County setup, tcase should mate OK, as V8 D1's and D2 used the same R380 I have (and worse ways I can sell mine and buy both from a D1 to get bell housing and higher gearing in one go), getting enough of the exhaust form the donor to hopefully mate it up somehow as a temporary thing, and getting the fuel pump so just need to wire and plumb it in, and injection stuff should all bolt straight on and just leave me with the snorkel on the wrong side from a 300TDi, but a 200TDi and the County had them the other side, so should just be a bit of hose to sort and a hole to cut.

Transmission tunnel is one grey area at the moment - need to compare mine to a County.

Jeff,
The transmission tunnel will not be a problem, unless you put an LT85 in, as the front of the gearbox ends at the firewall, and then the bell housing puts the motor past the foot wells. Also check that you don't have to replace the input shaft in the gearbox. I had to do mine, but that was obvious as the V8 bell housing was way longer than the four cylinder that came out. If you do have to change the input shaft, double check the number of teeth on it, as the V8 one had one more tooth than the four cylinder one that came out on my LT77.